A Well-Stocked Pantry Is Essential When Cooking, But Just How Long Does Each Item Last?

It's so easy to let a box of dried food migrate to the back of the pantry to, um, mature. And then, next thing you know, you realize you're holding a box of food that's gone through several birthdays. So, how long is too long to keep your ingredients around?

1. You can keep dried pasta for up to two years, as long as it's completely dry in an airtight container. If the noodles are blotchy or have a weird color, throw them away. The color changes can be the result of mold.

5. Twenty months is just about enough for olive oil, and that's assuming you're keeping it in a cool place away from sunlight.

6. Bread crumbs last about six months, so long as they're kept perfectly dry.

7. You can test to see if your baking powder is still good by combining some with hot water. If it fizzes, it's still good. Its lifespan is about 6-12 months, depending on how much moisture it's been exposed to.